Control of electric circuits



July 28, 1936. J. H. MILES CONTROL 015 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed Aug. s, 1955 v lnQenb-on:

v John Miles,

kw '6 H I His Atbohngg Patented Jul '28, 1936 CONTROL OF PATENT OFFICE John H. Miles. Decatur, Ga assignor to General- Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application August 5, 1933, Serial No. 683,772

11 Claims. My invention relates to improvements in the control of electric circuits and more particularly to improvements in arrangements for effecting as quickly as possible the reclosing of a circuit breaker which has opened in response to a faulty circuit condition. More especially, my invention relates to improvements in circuit controlling devices of the type disclosed in United States Letters Patent 1,658,695, issued February 7, 1928.

It has been found that, in a very large percentage of the faults which occur on power systems, the arc extinction and the de-ionization of the arc path occur so rapidly that instead of waiting some relatively long time, for example fifteen seconds, before making the first reclosure of the circuit breakers which opened in response to the fault, itis preferable to make the first reclosure as quickly as possible or substantially immediately in order better to advance the much desired continuity of service. One object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple arrangement for effecting a substantially instantaneous initial reclosure. Instantaneous initial reclosure is now understood by the art to mean no time delay in energizing the circuit breaker closing control device after the circuit breaker auxiliary switches have made contact in the open position of the circuit breaker. Another object of my invention is to provide a relativelysimple and economical construction for so modifying devices such as disclosed in the patent mentioned and especially those now in service that they are readily adaptable to circuit breaker reclosing arrangements wherein an instantaneous first reclosure is desired. Further objects of my invention will hereinafter appear.

My invention will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The single figure ofthe accompanying drawing illustrates in perspective an'embodiment of my invention and showsdiatically an'application thereof in a reclosingcircuit breaker control system. a

The circuit controlling device chosen to illustrate my invention comprises two pairs of relative? movable cooperating contacts I, 2 and I, 4 respectively and means comprising a plurality of :-spaced circuit controlling members I, 2, and I movable in the direction'indicated by the an lbyanysuitablemeanasuchas amotorl.successively to eilect circuit controlling Operations oithecontactsl,2.and8,l. 'l'brcontrolliuths -l3, and I so as to obtain the art that the gear ated, as shown in the patent mentioned, for posimovement of .the members 5, 6, and I there is provided means, such as an electromagnet l0 whose armature i I, while in the unattracted position, permits the members 5, 6, and 1 to be held in a predetermined position illustrated in the 5 drawing and, when in the attracted position, to permit the motor 9 to move the members 5, 6, and 'I from the predetermined position in the direction indicatedby the arrow 8 so as to actuate the contacts i, 2, and 3, l'and not to allow i'ur- 10 ther movement of the members until returned to the unattracted position.

The circuit controlling members 5, 6, and 1 may be mounted on operating members illustrated as radially disposed arms l2, l3, and H of a' suit- 15 ably mounted rotatable member such as a shaft- IE to which is secured a gear i 6 of a reducing gear train ll arranged to be driven by the motor 9. For varying the spacing of the arms i2,

the desired intervals 20' between the actuation of the contacts, the arms are adjustably positioned on the shaft l5 by any suitable clamping means such as a nut l8 .and a washer l9. It will be obvious to those skilled in I6 may be suitably gradu- 5 tioning the arms I2, I 3 and I4 according to the time action desired. 7

- For controlling the movement of the circuit controlling members 5, 6 and 'i by the motor 9 30 which may be continuously energized, the armature ll of the electromagnet it may normally be in the unattracted position as shown. In this position it is arranged to control the movement of a brake catch 20 which is pivoted at 2| in a 5 trunnioned yoke member 22 and biased by a spring 23 to the position shown in the'drawing. In this position the brake catch 20 is engaged by a normal stoparm 24 on the shaft ii. The torque of the motor 9 as transmitted through the shaft 40 ii to the brake catch 20 tends to turn the yoke 22counter-clockwiseabout itspivot 25 and thereby to turn a brake arm 26 also molmted on the yoke 22-ina direction to have its braking surface 21' engage. the rotor 2| of the motor 8. In this 5 way the motor a stalls itself to hold the parts positioned as shown in the drawing.

When the electromagnet II is energized and the armature thereby moved to the attracted 7 position, the brake catch 20 is released from the stop arm 24. Upon the release of the brake catch, the brake 21 is moved, away from the rotor 2| by the brake release spring 20 so that themotori'sfreetoturntheshaftllandthe' arms l2, l3, and I4 associated therewith at a as shown. The bias .by any suitable means,

rate dependent on the speed of the motor. For uniformity in time delay action the motor 3 is preferably a substantially constant speed motor. As the arms l2, l3 and II are rotated, each,

through its associated circuit controlling meming meansv for holding the contact controlling member 5 under a bias in an initial position such that the contacts I, 2 are closed and the contacts 3, I open. indicated as a stop 33 which engages a projection 3! on the circuit controlling member 3. The circuit controlling member 3 may be pivotally mounted on the operating member may. be provided by any suitable means, such as the spring 33, in which energy is stored during a predetermined movement of the operating member it while the restraining means is in the path of movement of the circuit controlling member 3. The spring 33 may interconnect the operating member I! and the circuit controllingmember 5, as shown. For convenience in operation, the restraining stop 30 may be secured to a spring-biased arm 34 which is under the control of an electromagnet 33 in such a way that the movement of the armature 36 of this electromagnet to the attracted position releases the stop 33 from the pin 3|.

In order that the actuation of the contacts I, 2 and 3, 4 may be eflfected positively with a minimum load on the motor, they are mounted on pivot s 31, 33 and arranged to provide a hamsuitable means, such as a rest 33, the free ends of contacts 3 and l are supported such as flanges 33, 4| so that it one of the contactcontrolling members moves toward the contacts it first engages and 'moves' a pair of contacts, for example 1 and 2, simultaneously upward and subsequentgood contact closure. 1 y

In order to have a time displacement between the circuit controlling actions of the contacts I and"! and the contacts 3 and 3 the contact controlling members 3, 3, and I may be provided with contact moving portions 32 and 33 set at different angles. In accordance with my invention I so arrange the cycle or operation that when the stop arm 24 engages the brake catch 10 and applies the brake 21 to the motor 3, the

circuit controlling member 3 is under bias of the spring 33 with the contacts I and 3 closed and the contacts 3and l open so that immediately upon the release ct the restrainin member 33 the energystoredinthespring 33 moves the contact controlling member 3 in the direction indicated by the arrow 3 quickly to release the contact 2 and thereby separate the contacts i and 3 and almost. immediately thereafter to by closing contacts 3 and I.

The restraining means is- II at 32,

raise the contact 4 and drop the contact 3, there- For further controlling the movement oi the circuit controlling members 3, 3,- and 1, the shaft I! may be provided with a lockout stop arm 5 44 which is angularly displaced with reference to the stop arm 34 in the direction of rotation indicated by the arrow 3 so as to permit somewhat less than one revolution of the shaft i3 before it is brought to a stop provided the armature H of the electromagnet I3 is in its attracted position. If this ,armature is in its attracted position, the lockout stop arm 44 engages the brake catch 23 and applies the brake 21 to the motor 3 so as to stop all action and lock out the device. In this way it is possible to suspend automatic operation of the device even though the electromagnet ll be deenergized after the brake catch 33 has been moved into the path of the stop arm 44 because'the 2o torqueoithemotorwillholdthestopflagainst the brake catch 23. The brake catch 23 may, however, be released at any time by moving the armature to the position, for example pushing on the rod 33. 25

In order more clearly to set forth the operation of the illustrated embodiment of my inventically an application thereot for reclosing a latched-in type of circuit breaker 33 which is arranged to control 30 alinecircuit l1 connectedtoabusllandto beopenedinresponsetoapredeterminedabnormal condition by any suitable protective means indicated as a current trip coil 43. The circuit breaker 43 may beprovlded with any-" suitable closing means, such as the clodng coil 33, the circuit 0! which is normally open and arrangedtobe closedupon actuation of a control device 3!. 11m circuit breaker is alsoprovided with suitable auxiliary switches 32 and 33' whicharearrangedtobeopenwhenthecircuit breaker is closed and vice verso.

Themotorlmaybeenergisedtromanysuitable source indicated as a potential, transformer llconnectedtothebusu. Theelectromagnets II and 33, the control device or relay 3| and theclosingcoflumnybeenergisediromany suitable source indicated as a bus 33.

Assuming that the parts are positioned as showninthedrawing,andthat something happens onthe circuit 31 to cause the actuation oithe trippin8means43.thecircuitbreakerl3 willbe trippedandmovedtothecircuitopening position. In so doingthecircuit oi therelease. magnet lliscompletedthroughtheeircuitbreak- 55 er auxiliary switch 33' as follows: From one side of the bus 33, through conductor 33, auxiliary switch 33, conductor 31, resistance 33, the winding of the electromagnet f3 and conductor theothersideoithebus. Assoon asthe electromagnet I3 is energised, its armature II is attractedto release the brake catch 33 and therebythebrakel'lsothatthemotor3isfreeto eiiect movement of the shaft l3. At the time is energized, the circuit oi the auxiliary electromagnet 33 is also completed through the auxiliary switch 33 as follows: From one side 01 the bus 33, conductor 33, switch 33, conductor 31, resistance 3l, conductor-3l, the winding more elech'omag as; conductor a. 70 contacts 3 and l o! the timing device and conductor 33 to the other side of the bus 33. when theamiiiarymagnetisenergized,itsealsitseli in by its contacts 34 through conductors 33 and". Alsmassoonssthedeetrosnagnetflis energized, it moves the spring-biased arm 34 to release the restraining means I. from the circuit controlling member 5. The energy stored in the spring 33 thereupon eil'ects immediate the bus 55, through conductor 56, auxiliary switch 53, conductor 86, control relay 5|, contacts I, 4

of the timing device, conductor 62, contacts 44 of the auxiliary magnet or relay 35, and conductors B5 and 59 to the other side of the control bus. When the control relay 5| closes its contacts, it completes a circuit from one side of the control bus 55 through its contacts, conductor 81, auxiliary switch 52, closing coil 50 and conductor 56 to the other side of the control bus thereby effecting the closing of the circuit breaker. Upon the closing of the circuit breaker, the electromagnets I ii and 35 and the control relay 5| are deenergized as a result of the opening of their circuits by the auxiliary switches 52 and 53.

If the circuit breaker 46 stays closed, the armatures of the electromagnets III and 35 will return to the positions shown in the drawing and the shaft IE will rotate around into the position shown, whereupon the stop arm 24 engages the brake catch 20 to stop the motor 9. If, however, the circuit breaker 46 opens before the stop arm 24 engages the brake catch 20, it will be reclosed one or more times depending upon how soon and how often it reopens. For example, if'it were to reopen immediately, it would stay open until such time as the circuit controlling.

member 6 was turned around in a position to actuate the contacts i, 2 and 3, 4, whereupon the breaker would again be reclosed. If it were to open a third time, then, in due course of time, it would be reclosed by the action of the circuit controlling member 1 on the contacts I, 2 and 3, 4. If it remains closed on any one of the first three openings, the shaft it will return to the position shown in the drawing and the control device will be in position for another automatic operation. If, however, after the third reclosure the circuit breaker opens immediately, the brake catch 20 will be in the path of movement of the lockout arm 44. In this case the motor 9 will be stopped and no further reclosures can take place until the brake catch 20 is released by pushing on the rod 45.

While I have shown and described my invention in considerable detail, I do not desire to be limited to the exact arrangement shown but seek to cover in the appended claims all those modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A circuit controlling device including a rotatable operating member, a circuit controlling member pivotally mounted on said operating member for rotation relative thereto, restraining means in the path of movement of the circuit controlling member for efiecting movement thereof relatively to the operating member during a definite angular movement thereof, means in which energy is stored when the operating member is rotated while the circuit controlling member is restrained, means for stopping said operating member at the end of said definite angular movement, means for releasing said restraining means and relatively movable cooperating contacts constructed and arranged to be actuated from one circuit controlling position to another by the movement of the circuit controlling member in response to the release of the energy stored in said energy storing means when said restraining means is released.

2. A circuit controlling device including relatively movable operating and circuit controlling members, restraining means in the path of movement of the circuit controlling member for effecting movement thereof relatively to the operating member during a definite movement thereof, means in which energy is stored when the operating member is moved while the circuit controlling member is restrained, means for stopping said operating member at the end of said definite movement, means for releasing said restraining means and relatively movable cooperating contacts constructed and arranged to be actuated from one circuit controlling position to another by the movement of the circuit controlling member in response to the release of the energy stored in said energy storing means when said restraining means is released.

3. A circuit controlling device including relatively movable operating and circuit controlling members, a stop in the path of movement of the circuit controlling member for eflfectin movement thereof relatively to the operating member during a definite movement thereof, resilient.

means interconnecting said members and adapted to store energy when the operating member is moved while the circuit controlling member is held by said stop, means for stopping said operating member at the end oi said definite movement,

electromagnetic means for releasing said stop and I relatively movable cooperating contacts constructed and arranged to be actuated from one circuit controlling position to another by the movement of the circuit controlling member in response to the release of the energy stored in said resilient means when said stop is released.

4.'A circuit controlling device including a rotatably mounted operating member, a contact controlling member pivotally mounted on said operating member for movement relatively thereto, restraining means in the path of movement of said circuit controlling member for. effecting movement thereof relatively to the operating member during a definite angular movement thereof, means interconnecting said members and adapted to store energy when the operating member is rotated in one direction. while the contact controlling member is restrained, means for stopping said operating member at the end of said definite angular movement, means for releasing said restraining means, and relatively movable cooperating contacts constructed and arranged to be actuated from one circuit controlling position to another by the movement of the circuit controlling member in response to the release of the energy stored in said interconnecting means when said restraining means is released.

5. A circuit controlling device including a rotatably mounted operating member, a contact controlling member pivotally mounted on said operating member for movement relatively thereto. a stop in the path of movement of said circuit controlling member for effecting movement thereof relatively to the operating member during a definite angular movement thereof, a spring interconnecting said members and adapted to store energy when the operating member is rotated in one direction while the contact controlling member is engaged by said stop, means for stopping said operating member at the end of said definite angular movement, electromagnetic means for releasing said stop and relatively movable cooperating contacts constructed and ar' ranged to be actuated from one circuit controlling position to another by the movement of the circuit controlling member in response to the release of the energy stored in said spring when said stop is released.

6. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker for controlling said circuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker on the occurrence of a fault on the circuit and means for effecting a substantially immediate reclosure of said circuit breaker including an operating member, a circuit controlling member, means for biasing the circuit controlling member for movement in one direction when the operating member is actuated, means for restraining said circuit controlling member in one position against its bias, means responsive to the opening of the circuit breaker for releasing said restraining means whereby said circuit controlling member can move under its bias and means controlled by the movement of said circuit controlling member for effecting the closing of the circuit breaker.-

7. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker for controlling said circuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker on the occurrence of a fault on the circuit and means for effecting a substantially immediate reclosure of said circuit breaker including an operating member, a circuit controlling member, means for biasing the circuit controlling member for movement in one direction when the operating member is actuated, means for restraining said circuit controlling member in one position against its bias, means responsive to the opening of the circuit breaker for releasing said restraining means whereby said circuit controlling member can move under its bias, means controlled by the movement of said circuit controlling member for effecting the closing of the circuit breaker and means controlled by said circuit breaker when it opens for effecting the return of said circuit controlling member to its restrained position.

8. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breakers for controlling said circuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker on the occurrence of a fault on the circuit and means for effecting a substantially immediate reclosure of said circuit breaker including relatively movable operating and circuit controlling members, means for biasing the circuit controlling member for movement in one direction when the operating member is actuated, means for restraining said circuit controlling member in one position against its bias, means responsive to the opening of the circuit breaker for releasing said restraining means whereby said circuit controlling member can move under its bias and means controlled by the movement of said circuit controlling member for effecting the closing of the circuit breaker, means for effecting at least one subsequent reclosure when the circuit breaker opens again within a given time interval, means controlled by said circuit breaker when it opens the first time to effect the return of the circuit controlling member to its restrained position and means for preventing the return of said circuit controlling membr r to its restrained position when the circuit breaker opens more than a predetermined number of times in said interval.

9. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker for controlling said circuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker on the occurrence of a fault on the circuit and means for effecting a substantially immediate reclosure of said circuit breaker including relatively movable operating and circuit controlling members, means for biasing said circuit controlling member for movement in one direction when the operating member is actuated, means for restraining the circuit controlling member in one position against its bias, means for actuating said operating member, means for stopping said actuating means at a predetermined point of movement of the operating member, means operative when the circuit breaker opens to release said restraining means and relatively movable cooperating contacts arranged to be actuated from one circuit controlling position to another to effect closure of the circuit breaker in response to the release of said circuit controlling member when the restraining means is released in response to the opening of the circuit breaker.

10. In combination, an electric circuit, a circuit breaker for controlling said circuit, means for effecting the opening of said circuit breaker on the occurrence of a fault on the circuit and means for effecting a substantially immediate reclosure of said circuit breaker including an operating member, a circuit controlling member movable relatively to said operating member, means for effecting movement of said operating member, restraining means in the path of movement of said circuit controlling member for effecting movement thereof relatively to said operating member during a predetermined part of the movement thereof, means in which energy is stored when the operating member is moved while the circuit controlling member is restrained, means for stopping said operating member at the end of said predetermined movement, means operative when the circuit breaker opens to release said restraining means and said stopping means and relatively movable cooperating contacts arranged to be actuated from one circuit controlling position to another to effect the closure of the circuit breaker in response to the release of the energy stored in said energy storing means when said restraining means is released in response to the opening of the circuit breaker.

11. A circuit controlling device including relatively movable operating and circuit controlling members, restraining means in the path of movement of the circuit controlling member for effecting movement thereof relatively to the operating member during a definite movement thereof, means for biasing said circuit controlling member for movement from its restrained position, means for stopping said operating member at the end of said definite movement, means for releasing said restraining means, and relatively movable cooperating contacts constructed and arranged to be actuated from one circuit controlling position to another by the movement of the circuit controlling member under its bias when said restraining means is released.

Joann. MILES. 

